U News 2 | Georgia Tech launching Food and Beverage Accelerator
North Carolina Central University received a grant from Google to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research. What does this mean for the campus?
From the Georgia Institute of Technology:
The university, well-known for its technology programs, is launching its inaugural Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT.FBA) program this month, offering an opportunity for passionate food and beverage entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. The program, which will last six months, is designed to help small food and beverage start-ups take their products from home kitchens to retail shelves, providing a structured pathway from idea to market.
As reported by TSQ ATL, the program of Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute has been a work in progress for several years. It began with a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that enabled GT.FBA Co-Directors Aubrey Lenyard and Brandy Stanfield-Nagel to build a comprehensive food safety and entrepreneurship training program. The success of that initiative led them to recognize the continued need for hands-on support in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses beyond the early stages.
From Elon University:
Associate Professors Sean McMahon and Elena Kennedy in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business at Elon University have published new research showing that entrepreneurship education can enhance early career outcomes for graduates, even if they never launch their own ventures.
Along with four other faculty members – two each from Towson University and the College of William & Mary, their research, titled “No (Start-up) Experience Required: Entrepreneurship Education Effectiveness for Early Career Graduates,” was published in Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy.
Key findings include:
- Improved workplace skills: Graduates who studied entrepreneurship reported higher levels of critical thinking, leadership, work ethic and professionalism compared to those who didn’t take entrepreneurship courses.
- Faster career advancement: The study found that these graduates experienced more promotions and salary increases in their early careers.
- Versatile skill application: Engaging in entrepreneurial behaviors like innovative problem-solving and effective communication helped graduates excel in various job roles.
From Michigan State University:
“Much of our activities are centered around driving economic development through startup creation, job creation and regional partnerships,” said David Washburn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Michigan State University (MSU) Research Foundation. He’s a former President and CEO of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation who moved from the Volunteers to the Spartans almost 11 years ago.
In a lengthy article published in MSU Today, the publication talks about the various ways that the Research Foundation is helping advance the university’s research and commercialization agendas. Among the highlights were these:
- Through its captive venture funds, Red Cedar Ventures and the Michigan Rise Pre-Seed Fund III, the Foundation supports more than 200 active companies that have collectively raised more than $1.2 billion in co-investments. These companies span fields such as quantum computing, advanced manufacturing and medical technologies, creating more than 1,400 jobs while driving economic growth in Michigan.
- A host of research parks and incubator spaces across the state managed by the Foundation — including locations in East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit — collectively provide 165,000 square feet of office, lab and warehouse space and maintain an impressive 90 percent occupancy rate.
- Finally, the Foundation is the only organization in the state of Michigan to have won a planning grant for both the National Science Foundation “Regional Engines” and the Economic Development Administration’s “Tech Hubs” programs.
From Alabama A&M University:
Alabama A&M University is set to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape with the launch of its new Venture Hub – a $1.5 million, 5,800-square-foot entrepreneurship and innovation center. Located at 4701 Meridian Street in North Huntsville, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to inspire and empower students, alumni, and community members to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) industries.
“The Venture Hub is more than just a building – it’s a launchpad for big ideas and entrepreneurial dreams,” said Dr. Lyndell J. Parris, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “This space has been thoughtfully designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to succeed. Our goal is to ignite innovation, foster collaboration, and position Alabama A&M as a leader in driving economic growth through entrepreneurship.”
From North Carolina Central University:
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) announced a $1 million grant from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, to establish the Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Equity Research (IAIER). The Institute will serve as a first-of-its kind program for a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the nation.
The Google.org grant for the NCCU AI Institute will support opportunities for as many as 200 students to engage in AI-related fields through interdisciplinary courses, research, and mentorship within the first two years of its launch. The institute, which will open in 2025, is also set to become the leading hub for AI within the HBCU network, advancing diversity, inclusion, and equitable representation of AI-related industries.
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